Prospect Estate, Recommendations

Prospect Estate Masterplan Recommendations DRAFT March 2016

Contents ITEM PAGE Executive Summary

1

Introduction: Methodology

2

Initial Assessment: Assets & Liabilities

3

Masterplan: Initial Strategies • Cove Brook 5 • Water Lane Park / Park Expansion 7 Orientation / Signing 8 • Individual Neighbourhood Greens 9 • Community Centre 9 • Community Arts 9 • Traffic Calming 10 Masterplan Developments : Concept Refinements • Cove Brook • Water Lane Park / Park Extensions • Community Centre • Wayfinding / Signage • Giffard Drive: Pilot Project, south • Wren Way: Pilot Project, north • Pilot Project, north: Thames Water Site

12 13 13 13 14 14 15

Way Forward

15

Cost Projections 16

Version: 1 Stage: Client Review Date: 04 March 2016

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

Executive Summary The assessment of estate assets and liabilitiesin this report is based on visits to site and discussions with the PEBL’s Environment Steering Group; strategies subsequently suggested are for developing projects most likely to benefit a majority of residents and to foster a sense of shared community, as directed in the Big Lottery’s award. Specific projects, discussed with the Steering Group and Rushmoor Borough Council’s Highways are recommended to be taken forward to to consultation with residents.

North Pilot

A common theme in the projects is encouraging more regular use of shared outdoor space. Streets take up a lot of space and cars are an integral part of residents’ lifestyles, but most residents like the estate’s green areas and it is expected they would respond positively to provision of a wider range of activities and amenity in them. Easier and safer access – e.g., good sight lines, places to sit and rest, or to cross roads – is also needed to encourage more use, more often.

Another project strand is provision of better wayfinding aids –simple and clear routefinding and signage that assists visitors or deliveries, and can also guide residents along estate paths – which can be confusing and circuitous. Logical structure and artfulness in this directional signage would reflect pride of place.

Cove Brook Water Lane Park Signing / Wayfinding

South Pilot

Community Centre

The projects recommended are: 1. Cove Brook: provision of more recreational and leisure opportunities along the existing path, improvements to crossings and signage to encourage use, and planting to enhance its appearance. This is a relatively straightforward proposal that could be brought forward quickly with evidence of resident support.

2. Water Lane Park: providing a well-connected green space with new paths and more leisure opportunities. In the longer term, the park could extend from Mayfield Road to Lulworth Close, expanding through part closure of Totland Close and reorganisation of the Surgery’s car parking.

3. Community Centre: a more open, useful, and civic space can be provided outside the community centre and shop with reallocation of parking, removal of planters, and provision of amenities such as seating and lighting.

4. Signage programme: including estate-wide changes to intersections that make them pedestrian friendly, and include community-led graphic arts projects . Improvements to paths are also recommended, such as clearing shrubs and parking which block views, and paving informal paths that are obviously well used.

5. Two pilot projects: combining the strands of improving the appearance of outdoor space which is shared, making these places easier to get to, and helping with wayfinding.

One of these is along Giffard Drive in the southern part of the estate, and the other on Wren Way near the Grange School and Ghurka Society entrances.

These are detailed in the report and cost projections provided.

The next key stage in delivery of the PEBL Environment masterplan is public consultation. Careful thought needs to be given to the format and content of this consultation.

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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fig.1

Assets & Liabilities Introduction

Connects to Black Water Valley Path (30 min walk)

In June 2015 the Prospect Estate Big Local (PEBL) commissioned Shape landscape architects to develop initial ideas for outdoor space improvements on the estate which would forward their Big Lottery award goals of community development and cohesion. PEBL’s brief to architects required discussing and agreeing ideas with the Environment steering group (hereafter referred to as the ‘Steering Group’), pulling these together into a coherent masterplan which would be the basis for subsequent consultations with residents. The Big Lottery’s award encourages projects to come out of the community and to be resident directed; their priorities and suggestions will form the basis of what PEBL may take forward over the remaining arc of its ten year plan.

This report summarises the masterplan recommendations; information on The Big Lottery award, PEBL, and its steering groups can be found on line and will not be covered here.

Moor Road Playground (1 min)

Connects to Hawley Park (25 mins)

Methodology

Farnborough 6th form college (1 min)

Black Water retail park (15 min) KEY

To Blundel Hall (2 minutes) To Giffard Drive shops (10 minute walk) To Town Centre (30 minute walk)

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

Assets: 1. Cove Brook and connections to Moor Park, Blundel Hall 2. Water Lane Park, centrally located 3. Individual neighbourhood greens (throughout estate) Liabilities: 1. Totland Court ‘dominance’ (extends to park and to community centre) 2. Difficult navigation, both from street and internally (throughout estate) 3. Vehicle - dominated landscape, inclding parking, speed, infrastructure 4. Poor quality walking: walls, path condition & links, road crossings

2

Shape visited the Prospect Estate several times between June and December 2015. During the first visit a guided tour was provided by the Steering Group, led by local residents, Rushmoor Council officers, and First Wessex HA representatives. Subsequent visits were made to improve familiarity with the structure and rhythms of the estate, to take documentary photographs, and to test ideas on site. Desktop surveys included review of Census data, local reported crime statistics and traffic accident records.

The masterplan process was iterative, involving three cycles of presentation to the Steering Group, with comments received driving successive revision or refinement, each successively clearer in vision and detail.

The final meeting, in December, was with Rushmoor BC Highways officers; this was an open discussion regarding what measures in the masterplan document would likely be practicable and deliverable. This meeting ended the initial stage of the environmental improvements process on a positive noted, with the Borough expressing continued interest in working cooperatively with PEBL to bring many of the changes anticipated in the plan forward, if they can be shown to be supported by the Prospect Estate’s residents.

fig.2

Masterplan: Strategy Diagram Connects to Black Water Valley Path (30 min walk)

Moor Road Playground (1 min)

Connects to Hawley Park (25 mins)

3

1

1. Cove Brook: improve ease of access and broaden appeal with more activities 2 Water Lane Park: expand areas, widen appeal w/more activities, ease of access 3. Individual Neighbourhood Greens: offer range of social interventions (residents select) 4. Orientation / Wayfinding: Sign streets, differentiate neighbourhoods, signpost destinations & points of interest 5. Traffic Calming: tree planting at parking, more crossings, speed humps 6. Community Centre: Open up, improve access, setting, and atmosphere 7. Community Arts: potential projects at Community Centre, Giffard Drive,

2

Farnborough 6th form college (1 min)

6 Black Water retail park (15 min)

7

To Blundel Hall (2 minutes)

To Giffard Drive shops (10 minute walk) To Town Centre (30 minute walk)

3 Strategies Cove Brook: improve ease of access and broaden appeal with more activities

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

Initial Open SpacesAssessment: Assets & Liabilities The consultants’ first step was to look around the estate and rationality (as an informed non-resident) and fairly assess both plusses and minuses. These are the consultant’s observations, based on nearly twelve hours spent on the estate (including weekdays and weekends), augmented by conversations with longstanding residents on the Steering Committee, aerial surveys, and a review of both previous relevant studies – mostly from Rushmoor BC sources – and material provided by PEBL including the history of the estate:

Assets 1. Cove Brook This is a visually appealing area, a link to nearby recreational and cultural opportunities, and a place already on many residents’ map; it gets daily use by dog walkers and is busy on weekends with people of all ages strolling and bicycling. The surfaced path adjacent the brook is in good condition but there is not a lot of amenity – focal points for leisure or sport – provided, nor is there much ‘wayfinding’ assistance - indications of destinations either outside or on Prospect Estate itself that people might wish to get to.

2. Water Lane Park This is a centrally located, open space green with a moderate provision of children’s sport and play catering to a wide age range. It is well used by children and young people but is not at present a place many adults turn to for leisure.

3. Neighbourhood Greens A unique feature of the Estate its ‘Radburn’ style arrangement, where residential buildings are grouped with an inward focus around small shared greens, and auto oriented functions – roads and parking – are restricted to the perimeter on the opposite side of the buildings. The resultant central greens have a semiprivate feel, perhaps intended to offer neighbours some of the advantages of communal living – shared recreation and leisure activities, child supervision, etc.

For a variety of reasons, they do not at present appear to serve any function, though some of them are attractive places to walk through or look at.

fig.3

Study Areas Connects to Black Water Valley Path (30 min walk) Connects to Hawley Park (25 mins)

Liabilities

4

2b 1

Moor Road Playground (1 min)

1. Cove Brook 2a. Water Lane Park and park extensions 2b. Thames Water property and links to Cove Brook 2c. Community Hall: civic centre, parking/ park arrangement, crossings 3. Giffard Drive: walking environment, estate gateway, signing 4. Traffic Calming, Wren Way: parking and crossings 5. Individual Neighbourhood Greens (not shown)

2a 2c

Farnborough 6th form college (1 min)

Black Water retail park (15 min)

3 To Blundel Hall (2 minutes)

To Giffard Drive shops (10 minute walk) To Town Centre (30 minute walk)

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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1. Vehicle-Dominated Landscape A lot of space on the estate is given over to wide roads and there are more cars on the estate than there are parking spaces, leading to haphazard use of any unclaimed space including roadside verges. Coupled with regularly observed high speed driving this creates hazardous conditions in some areas, and throughout the estate it discourages walking and bicycling. This is particularly relevant outside schools and the Mayfield Road shop.

2. Poor Quality Path Network Walking around the estate is further complicated by • lack of cohesive or direct routes • poor quality pavements • lack of safe road crossings • overgrown vegetation and • high walls obscuring sightlines.

These barriers particularly affect the elderly and visitors unfamiliar with the Estate’s layout.

3. Difficult Navigation Lack of a visible and coherent system of signage also complicateds wayfinding. Streets names are not always signed and the’Radburn’ layout provides a further obstacle: as front entrances are often not on roads but on the internal greens, non residents – including deliveries and emergency services –not having the advantage of knowing that alternative rear entrances from car parks are available, instead are lost trying to navigate internal common areas which lack readily visible identification (red routes, Figs 2,3).

4. Totland Court’s Dominance Architecturally these blocks stand apart from the low-rise terraces surrounding it, and its history (locus of some crime and anti-social behaviour) can still cast a shadow in other resident’s perceptions of place. Car parking provision for residents of these blocks covers a large area to all four sides of the building. The shop and community centre on Mayfield Road appear to be attached to this block, rather than being facilities available to the wider Prospect Estate community.

fig.4

Masterplan Study Area: Cove Brook Masterplan Strategies: Initial Recommendations

CONTINUED FROM BOTTOM LEFT to Moor Park

1. Signature post/ interpretation

The consultant’s aim per the Brief is to identify for review by residents environmental projects that will help build community and strengthen community identity. Areas identified for further study (Fig 3, p.4) follow directly from the previous chapter’s analysis of assets and liabilities: positive attributes can be built upon, and shortcomings redressed.

2. Exercise stations / benches 3. Low shrubs / vines built to edge 4. Road crossings w/ refuge 1,2.

Measures suggested include both simpler ‘quick wins’ developing project momentum, improving its visibility, increasing support for the works, and ideally involving only a small investment - and more complex measures requiring more involved consultation, cooperation between many parties, an extended permissions process and perhaps a significant financial investment.

3.

Cove Brook Use levels and the resultant opportunities for more social interaction -potentially strengthening community ties - would be increased with improved ease of access; its appeal may be widened with provision of more activities.

In addition, new elements highlighting the Prospect Estate’s section of the route and providing a placemaking/ identifying function, may have a public relations benefit.

4.

1,2.

3. to Blundel Hall

1. Signature post/ interpretation 2. Exercise stations / benches

4.

3. Low shrubs / vines built to edge 4. Road crossings w/ refuge

Curiously, there are few formalised points of access to the brookside path, and it is not visible from roads within the estate; access at present is available through neighbourhood car parks or along semi-private paths in front of residential units. Consideration can be given to raising Cove Brook’s low public profile - celebrating its proximity and attractive qualities.

CONTINUED AT TOP RIGHT

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

An appropriate activity to consider adding would be outdoor gym stations. The Cover Brook route is already used for jogging and walking so this would be complementary use. There is no similar facility in the immediate area (including Moor Park), they do not take up a lot of room, and they are reasonably inexpensive with low maintenance requirements – particularly if static stations are considered (rather ones with than moving parts). Static stations have the further advantage of being less visually intrusive and should be one of the options residents can choose from in consultations.

5

fig.5

Cove Brook, Before & After Illustrations

1a. PUBLIC ACCESS - BEFORE

2a. MAYFIELD RD. BRIDGE - BEFORE

3a. GIFFARD DRIVE CROSSING - BEFORE

1b. PUBLIC ACCESS - AFTER

2b. MAYFIELD RD. BRIDGE - AFTER

3b. GIFFARD DRIVE CROSSING - AFTER

Pylon sign announcing presence of path at brook is easily visible from main road; gym equipment (and/or seating) easily reached both from path and the street.

Pylon signs call out the presence of Cove Brook, the path, and road crossing (optional).

4a. COURTYARD BOUNDARIES- BEFORE

5a. GARDEN BOUNDARY - BEFORE

4b. COURTYARD BOUNDARIES - AFTER

5b. GARDEN BOUNDARY - AFTER

Planting defines edge between public and more private areas

Planting softens edge, increases privacy, and offers birds habitat & forage.

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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Safe and convenient crossing and a path leading directly to Cove Brook provided to residents liiving east of Giffard Drive.

fig.6

Masterplan Study Area: Water Lane Park While vegetation to the brook side of the path is natural in appearance, to the estate side incongruous ‘built’ features – exposed fences and walls - detract from the attractive, tranquil qualities of the waterway.

5,6.

The above points can be addressed with: • clearly signed access emphasising public routes, with planting separating semi-rivate greens from the path • location of gym stations at /near access points • provision of an additional access point serving residents at far southern end of the estate • announcing the presence of river at the Mayfield Avenue bridge • screen planting to estate-side fences and walls; this can have habitat / forage value • interpretative material explaining facets local ecology / history, at access points.

A larger park...

1. Totland Road Closure

3.

2. Medical Centre car park relocation 3. Crossing to north extension

7.

8.

9-11.

2.

1.

New features need to be sensitivity placed so as not to affect the brook’s habitat value, or create nuisance for neighbours. Combining route signing, provision of activity points, interpretative information and place in a single item or group of items would both lessen their visual impact and improve their effectiveness as markers; refer to Fig 1a, p6 as an example of a such a grouping, at the end of a public road off Wren Way.

4. Potential inclusion of community centre, Cherrywood School west lawn ...with better connections 5. Through path, entire length 6. Clear sight lines, entire length 7. Desire lines accommodated

Water Lane Park / Park Expansion The prime impediments to Water Lane Park playing a larger role in community life is: • its size – it does not feel large enough to accommodate different functions or to provide more than a fragmentary park-like (green, separate) experience • arbitrary arrangement of activity centres, with resultant piecemeal left over spaces • lack of clear, intuitive routes to it from surrounding neighbourhoods • lack of routes into and across it (hence desire lines formed across grass) • poor visibility throughout, not supporting comfort in approaching / using • intrusive visual effect of adjacent car parks (including the Surgery’s) and streets.

and new uses 8. Picnic/BBQ area 9. Small children’s play expansion 10. Table tennis, pod swing 11. Seating

5,6.

To address the above, the consultant’s recommendation is increase the size of the park with an ambitious annexing of adjacent paved areas, extending green arms into adjacent neighbourhoods (towards Cove Brook, Moor Park, and the community centre on Mayfield Road) with tree planting, expanded pavements. Unused areas (eg Thames Water hardstanding) can be converted to new leisure or sport opportunities . Water Lane’s role could then expand from simply being a play area to being the Estate’s ‘green lung’.

4.

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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fig.7

Water Lane Park, Before & After Illustrations Central to this expansion would be reorganisation of roads and parking in the vicinity of the Surgery. Totland Road and Croyde Close would both become dead ends with introduction of a long swathe of lawn (see 5a&b, to left); each neighbourhood would retain a separate identity. The Surgery’s car park would be removed, replaced with shared (daytime) use of Totland Court’s satellite car park. Residential on-street car parking would be repositioned, earth mounds and vegetation removed, in order to make seeing into and getting around the park on foot as convenient and secure feeling as possible.

1. Park not seen from Mayfield Road, as earth mounds block views.

5a. TOTLAND RD. - BEFORE

2. Walking in the park, views are also (uncomfortably) blocked.

5b. TOTLAND RD. - AFTER

Unnecessary roadway turned to green use; restricted views opened up and convenient paths provided throughout the length of the park.

Orientation / Signing Development of an orientation and signing strategy requires careful consideration in order to provide necessary information clearly, without clutter or gaps, and can merit a separate appointment. The consultant’s initial observations were: • basic street name finding was difficult and requires redressing • vehicle based direction finding between street and internal block entrances was incomplete and needs to be more systematic • internal pedestrian paths are too numerous to sign; these can be confusing but residents will in any event learn these over time; however, directions to shared points of interest (eg, school, park, social halls) could be provided • signage needs to be supplemented / supported by clear signalling of routes, such as location of safe road crossings and clearly visible access points / destinations.

A cultural and recreational component to signage was requested by some of the Steering Group. In the consultant’s opinion this would be less of priority than the necessity of providing a functioning direction – finding system. However, functional aspects can be augmented by decorative graphics or web-based information links.

3. Roads leading to the park are not pleasant to walk along.

There are also opportunities to identify particular neighbourhoods by use of a consistent pallete of street furniture colours, or tree planting.

4. There are pleasant areas but the limited ‘offer’ needs expanding.

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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fig.8

Masterplan Study Area: Community Centre Neighbourhood Greens These have the potential to play a broader social role as they are present throughout the estate; this might start with neighbours being asked to discuss and agree what the new uses the greens could be put to might be –allotments, wildlife ponds, play areas, etc.

Clutter removal: 1. Car parking relocated to edges

The opportunity for resident participation was discussed initially with the Steering Group but It became apparent that the sheer number of these spaces would present difficulties in organising and funding change. The Steering Group opted instead to focus on the more public shared areas, which would distribute opportunities and gains more equally among all Prospect residents, according to the aims of the Big Lottery funding award.

2. Shrubs and planter reduction 3. Tree planting to filter Totland, mark edges of public space 4. Centre & shop stand out (day/night) Safer, clearer connections: 5. Pedestrian crossing refuges/humps

Community Centre The setting of the community centre and the adjacent shop do nothing to support its role as a meeting place and shared social resource. People outside the shop waiting for friends or family, or for buses - have no space, but instead make do sharing a car park and narrow pavement adjacent the busy main road.

6. Clear sight lines to & from shop, Totland entrance 7. Glazing to shop, lighting to community centre Potential new uses

A more comfortable and inviting setting would include: • convenient short term parking provision • safer road crossing(s) • open, car free space with seating • windows into shop providing surveillance • tree planting to reduce visual impact of Totland flats.

1.

3.

5.

2,6.

5.

4,7.

Community Arts An arts component in this proposal could provide a valuable route for resident participation and may draw in alternative funding streams.

1.

3.

Potential works may include: • portraits of prominent residents to Giffard Drive walls • graphics portraying characters used in street naming • ornamental lighting to Community Centre

1.

5.

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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fig.9

Community Centre, Before & After Illustrations Traffic Calming A key component of encouraging more use of outdoor space and streets is to reduce the negative impacts of vehicles. The Prospect Estate is very much a product of the era in which expanding automobile use was considered an unalloyed advantage but in hindsight its planning underestimated ultimate levels of ownership, and discounted the unintended side affects of easy and convenient roadways.

1a. VISIBILITY & ATMOSPHERE These can be enhanced with colour.....

3a. COMMUNITY CENTRE, EXISTING

The community centre and shop are not visible, and the area outside them is entirely occupied by vehicles. No room is provided for normal social activies such as chatting and sitting; shop and centre users are pressed to side of road by shrubs and parked cars.

1b. decorative lighting....

Counterbalancing these effects to encourage walking and cycling is not easy, but it is a topic routinely addressed in contemporary open space and street design. Suggested measures include: • reducing vehicle speeds through interventions in roadway • lowering vehicle speeds by narrowing lane widths, reducing apparent widths (eg tree planting), or introducing uncertainty at decision making points.

• reducing corner radii, prioritising walking/ crossing rather than ease/ speed of vehicle turning • providing convenient, safe crossings where pedestrian movement is anticipated and respected • provision of convenient bicycle parking facilities.

These features are particularly effective when introduced at near social centres such as local retail parades, schools or community centres, and parks.

1c. or graphic artwork.

3b. PROPOSED

People can cross road safely to the shops and Community Centre, which are very visible; area around the existing trees is open, wiith seats and lighting, and space available for other amenities / activities. Parking would be conveniently relocated nearby.

2. SURVEILLANCE is better with windows and active ground floor uses.

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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fig.10

Signage - Information Hierarchy Proposed navigation hierarachy: 1. Estate entry features 2. Corner monument signs 3a. Wall mounted unit no. directions 3b. Wall mounted park /school /etc directions

2.

Combine with navigation aids:

3. WALKING ROUTES

4. Hedges / car parking removed where they block sight lines 5. Desire lines formalised 6. Kerb cuts, benches provided

Use can be encouraged by making the way clear (eg, removing shrubs, parked cars and other obstacles from path entrances, above) and acknowledging the importance of established routes. (below).

3a.

and interpretative content / art

3b.

1. SYSTEMATIC APPLICATION Essential information on block names and numbering is commonly missing; a clear, consistent and logical system is needed (see below).

2a. HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE I Ideally, navigation is intuitive. For example, drivers find street names in a consistent place and format, then unit number organisation is clarified and direction provided (see ‘after’, below).

2b. HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE II Walking routes hroughout the estate can direct residents and visitors to easily reached destinations (see ‘after’, below).

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Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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Masterplan Development: Concept Refinement Based on the above strategy, and outline masterplan concept approved by the Steering Group took shape: • ‘quick wins’ augmenting Cove Brook’s attractive features • an ambitious expansion of the central green area, linking improvements in Water Lane with propoals to renovate the community centre, forming a strong community use ‘core’ • two pilot projects demonstrating the potential of improving the streetscape by making more pedestrian friendly environment – distributing these to both a northern and southern study area.

Moving into masterplan refinement, the Steering Group directed the consultant to: • complement rather than duplicate play and recreational opportunities to be provided in Moor Park renovation (planned for 2016-7), • explore opportunities redressing the unmaintained and unused Thames Water property hardstanding • retain cultural aspect in wayfinding proposals (eg links to history and street names).

Cove Brook Easier access and improved amenity can be sympathetically provided for this area.

Not all Prospect Estate residents have easy access to the riverside. In particular, people living on Dryden Road and the southern section of Giffard Drive cannot reach the brook directly; a new crossing of Giffard Drive and an extension of the existing river path to reach this is recommended.

At regular point further north along Wren Way , improved visibility can be provided by a large timber marker with at least some colour on it (see Fig 5, p.6). This is a robust construction - 250mm square timber, 3 to 4m height - with screenprinted aluminium panels fixed to it; the timber fits the natural setting and colour panels would face the street rather than along the brook, to reduce visiual impact where it is not warranted. Interpretative materials could be included on other sides of the post.

Installation of similar feature at the Mayfield Drive crossing could serve as a gateway feature at the estate boundary.

Exercise stations and/or benches would be associated with each post, located at the end of view corridors down side streets adjacent the river – at nr. 100m intervals.

Illustrations are provided of two key improvements a shrub and groundcover planting programme would provide. Planting across the lawns between houses would would separate private from more public areas.

Planting along boundary fences and walls would give this edge a natural quality more sympathetic to the riverside setting and could add an element of security.

objections have in the past been raised by some local residents to wider use of this area, it is not surrounded by many homes and sufficient room is available to add buffer planting. Grants from Thames Water are available to assist with development of community resources at or near TW sites; these need not be water-related, there only needs to be a demonstrable community benefit.

A key consideration in any planting programme is provision of maintenance over the first year, when establishment is at risk. Local volunteers can be considered for this, or Rushmoor BC’s trainee landscape team employed.

This site is also adjacent a well used bus stop and amenity for waiting passengers can be provided along the street.

The Cove Brook proposals could be implemented in a straightforward manner at relatively low cost, once popular support has been demonstrated.

Water Lane Park Expanded park boundaries are illustrated in Fig 5 (p.6).

These are dependant on successfully negotiating road closures with residents and Rushmoor BC and shared use of Totland Close’s car park with the Surgery. The advantage of a larger park are considerable, when combined with new paths, and the removal of mounds/ shrub masses blocking several edges, it would provide a fully accessible north-south route from Mayfield Road to Lulworth Close.

Additional facilities that would round out the park’s recreation and leisure offer may include: • picnic/ bbq area • more table tennis tables • more play equipment.

On closer inspection, providing green arms extending from Water Lane Park into neighbourhoods to the east and west would be difficult, due to narrow road widths and the current pressure for on-street parking.

However, a pavement widening and street tree planting programme could be considered in several areas.

Coupled with signage directing people towards the park, this could increase Water Lane Park’s profile and the amount of use.

Provision of a more ‘pastoral’ setting for the park can be considered: planting the perimeter with robust shrubs and trees so that surrounding buildings are less visible.

Park Extension: Thames Water site This is a 2500m2 area of hardstanding just 100m north of Water Lane Park, very visible from Wren Way and at present an eyesore with no constructive use. If Thames Water permission is obtained, investment here could expand sport and leisure provision for residents. There is sufficient space to locate active sport here such as BMX pump track, climbing walls, or skateboard park. While

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Park Extension: Cherrywood School MUGA This facility appears to be unlocked and available for public use, and it is recommended that discussions with the school be undertaken if its lawn (on Mayfield Avenue just east of the Community Centre) and this MUGA could become more community-oriented spaces allied with the Community Centre itself.

Community Centre Safe crossing across Mayfeld Drive should be provided for residents wishing to get to and from the primary school, the shop and community centre, and Water Lane Park.

Speed reduction measures along this road have largely been ineffectual and at a minimum more restrictive measures such as refuges which reduce road widths must be instituted if pedestrians using pavements and crossings are to enjoy a more pleasant environment, and not feel they are at risk when crossing roads or junctions.

Making more space here starts with more efficient provision of resident parking –reconfiguring it south of the street and west of the shop will increase capacity (see fig 9, p.10). Short term parking for the shop can be located east of the building in the underused service yard. Together this would allow wrapping the Water Lane Park extension around the corner of Totland, right up to the front of the shops and Community Centre.

Surface treatment could be hard paving (with seating) or alternatively it could be a soft, park like foreground for Totland and the Community Centre, with lawn and trees.

Hardstanding here would have the advantage of providing space for events (eg food markets, fetes, job fairs) allied with internal Community Centre functions.

Integral to allowing more social use of the outside of the Community Centre is better visual surveillance, to reduce the potential antisocial behaviour. Windows in the shop and more active use of the centre will provide this – with some negotiation and funding this change would benefit both the shop and the open space.

Decorative ighting treatement to the Community Centre would increase its profile and highlight its importance.

fig.11

Giffard Drive - Pilot Project, South

Extend greenery northward

2.

1. Vines on walls

1a. GIFFARD DRIVE- EXISTING

2. Low shrub & trees at verge

1.

1.

3.

1b. GIFFARD DRIVE - PROPOSED

2.

3. Gateway arts project to walls 4. Reduced radii & signage at corners 5. Hedge in front of parked cars

4 2. Giffard Drive: southern section has attractive landscape character

5.

3. Giffard Drive: intrusive car parking detracts from green character

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Wayfinding / Signage From the perspective of visitors or service providers needing to find an address, the Prospect Estate is not easy to navigate. Present shortcomings can best be addressed with the following hierarchy.

1. Estate identity- while not a prerequisite, entry to the estates from peripheral roads could be signalled, with pylon sign installations or a unique roundabout landscape treatment.

2. Street signs – these need consistant sign treatment in order to be noticed and legible. Use of corners is recommended as being overgenerous these could be tightened and a monument sign installed on the resultant space (see 2a, p11). This treatment also has benefits for walking as pedestrians can be prioritised with shorter, level crossings.

3. Neighbourhood blocks – upon entering streets, further information about building names and unit numbers are required and again this ideally would be applied consistently throughout the estate, for example on corner of buildings and walls (1a, p11). Colour coding or illustrative graphics, if introduced would differentiate neighbourhoods with a particular identity but would not be a necessity.

4. Pedestrian routes- Many paths are available to pedestrians throughout the estate. Most are well lighted but many are in poor condition and there are few kerb cuts, making navigation by the very young and the elderly more difficult, impeding strollers and shopping trolleys.

Use of existing paths might be encouraged by: • relocation of parking and removal of shrubbery, both of which frequently block sightlines to walking route entrances/ exits • signing main routes to likely destinations such as schools and cultural centres, Cove Brook and Water Lane park; these signs should be standardised in appearance and with property owner permission fixed to existing walls • formalising ‘desire lines’: paving highly trafficked routes across lawns • providing more road crossing refuges (or at schools and shops, Zebra crossings).

fig.12

Wren Way: Grange School /Gurkha Society - Pilot Project, North

Safer routes and Placemaking: 1. ‘Refuge’ crossings and speed reducing humps across Wren Way near parks, school, and cultural centre 2. Extensive street tree planting 3. Relocate parking to area with good sight lines 4. Sport or liesure oriented investment inThames Water site (see following page)

Pilot Study Areas To test the value of and reaction to some of the above proposals, an area in both north and south parts of the estate would be selected for wayfinding and placemaking improvements. Residents throughtout the estate would very likely pass through these areas often if travelling by car or bus, and these areas would also have the benefit of presenting an improved estate setting to visitors.

1.

1.

2.

Giffard Drive While some roadside views are very green and gracious – in the tradition of planned suburban neighbourhoodsmuch of this route is lined by parked cars and blank walls, which present a much more harsh, chaotic impression.

3.

The study area would extend northwards from Dryden Road to the Mayfield Drive intersection, and include: • street tree and low shrub planting into verges, narrowing pavement from 2.5 to 1.5m • screen shrubs planting in front of roadside car parks • vine planting on walls (with owner permission) • community arts projects on walls (with owner permission) • turning radius reduction at side streets, with monument sign installation (per fig.10, p11).

1.

2.

Wren Way

1.

Between the Ghurka Centre and the Thames Water site, observed traffic speeds in both directions on Wren Way are often high, creating hazardous and unpleasant conditions for people -particularly the very young or old not in cars.

Recommendations for this study area are: • three road crossings, serving routes to Cove Brook, the Grange School, and Moor Park; ideally, school crossing would be of a Zebra type giving pedestrians priority, but a raised table with refuge narrowing lane widths (illustrated, p.--)would also be effective • relocation of verge car parking to a straight road section with good visibility • street tree planting to narrow the apparent lane widths • side street turning radii reduction and street name monument sign installation.

4.

Proposed road crossings are directly linked to welltravelled walking routes from the centre of the estate; wall mounted signs directing people to Water Lane Park (or toward Grange School ) could also be trialled here.

1a. WREN LANE, EXISTING: High vehicle speeds despite poor visibility, presence of school.

1b. PROPOSED: Verges make lanes look narrower; hump & refuge crossing reduces speeds.

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

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fig.13

Pilot Project, north: Thames Water Site The Way Forward Consultations Careful consideration needs to be given to public consultation format and materials, and to how consultation results are going to inform the masterplan.

1.

1. Thames Water site, current condition

2.

3.

Consultation can bring out more good ideas for the public realm, or identify opportunities that may thus far have been missed. It will allow residents to feel more engaged in their community and in the process of changing what actually happens on the estate’s grounds.

4.

The consultation process is also an opportunity for the progress PEBL has made to be publicised, and for PEBL to recruit more volunteers.

3.

A new community green: 1. Through circulation 2. Seating areas at street/bus stop 3. Two sport orientated activities 4. Buffer & screen planting

Public consultations will give Prospect Estate residents a chance to review and comment on the recommendations in this report. Per the objectives of the Big Lottery award, the process of change needs to be resident led. For this to have legitimacy, all residents need to be offered opportunities to voice approval of, or object to, approaches or particular proposals put forward by the Steering Group; the consultation can also ask them which projects they feel should be prioritized.

Partnership Working

1.

4.

2a, b. Proposed uses: climbing (above), pump track (below)

Shape Landscape Architects - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016

15

The effectiveness of the partnerships established between PEBL members and staff, Rushmoor BC officers, and First Wessex Housing Association is apparent in the work accomplished to date by the Environment Steering Group. This cooperation can extend to the next stages: • Identifying potential funding sources and applying for match funding • Linking PEBL projects into existing local or borough-wide strategies • Facilitating implementation (eg, assisting with obtaining permissions) • Obtaining competitively priced tenders for construction.

5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

Cost Projections item 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8

element

£

COVE BROOK Exercise stations (ten machines + base) 50000 ID posts (3.5m timber/metal colour plates) 30000 Giffard Drive crossing/ speed hump 15000 Mayfield Road crossing/ speed hump 15000 Riverside path extension to crossing 10000 Planting to walls and fences 50000 Subtotal: 170000

Marathon Trust

COMMUNITY CENTRE Car parking: relocate/ reconfigure 60000 Pedestrian pavements 75000 Vehicular pavements 50000 Bollards 15000 Mayfield Road crossings/ speed humps (3) 50000 Drainage/ planting (integrate) 30000 Furniture: seating 20000 Lighting (2 columns, multiple fixtures) 30000 Trees (60, semi-mature, incl maintenance) 15000 Subtotal: 345000 item element £

4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6

WAYFINDING / SIGNAGE Estate entry markers 20000 Corner radii reductions, nr. 50 200000 Streets: monument sign at corner, 30 90000 Neighbourhood: ID / directional signs, 100 70000 Wall graphics, 10 50000 Shrub clearance, desire line paving 35000 Subtotal: 465000

5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

GIFFARD DRIVE (South Pilot) Tree, shrub & vine planting + maintenance 25000 Corner radii reductions, 12 50000 Street name monument signs, 5 15000 Artworks to walls 25000 Subtotal: 115000

6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5

WREN WAY (North Pilot) Road crossings: refuge + speed hump, 4 60000 Tree planting (80), bollards 40000 On street parking: relocate/ reconfigure 40000 Corner radii reductions, 8 35000 Street and neighbourhood signing 20000 Subtotal: 195000

RBC 'Skilled up' programme installs? Who maintains?

6 4 6.1 4.1 6.2 4.2 6.3 4.3 6.4 4.4 6.5 4.5 4.6

demolition and turfing; no utility relocation includes demolition/ turfing includes topoiling/ turfing includes topsoiling/ turfing / bollards

7 7.1 5 7.2 5.1 7.3 5.2 7.4 5.3 7.5 5.4

static option = lower cost Rushmoor BC may assist w/ approvals, installation

Landfill Tax Landfill Tax

WATER LANE PARK Totland Close part closure/ planting 80000 Landfill Tax Mayfield Medical Centre carpark relocation 50000 Mound removal, Mayfield Road 15000 TAG Mound removals, park perimeter 10000 Path construction, 450m 65000 Picnic /BBQ area construction 30000 Tesco Community Additional play / seating 50000 Planting maintnenance, 1 year 15000 Subtotal: 315000

3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9

notes

match funding ?

Landscaping & demolitions, lawn, trees Paths (100m) and paving

100000 50000

WREN WAY (North Pilot) WAYFINDING / SIGNAGE Road crossings: refuge + speed hump, 4 Estate entry markers Tree planting (80), bollards Corner radii reductions, nr. 50 On street parking: relocate/ reconfigure Streets: monument sign at corner, 30 Corner radii reductions, 8 Neighbourhood: ID / directional signs, 100 Streetgraphics, and neighbourhood signing Wall 10 Shrub clearance, desire line paving Subtotal: Subtotal: THAMES WATER SITE Landscaping & demolitions, lawn, trees GIFFARD DRIVE (South Pilot) Pathsshrub (100m) Tree, & and vine paving planting + maintenance Climbing walls Corner radii reductions, 12 Pump name track monument signs, 5 Street Furnishings: seating, bollards Artworks to walls Subtotal:

60000 20000 40000 200000 40000 90000 35000 70000 20000 50000 195000 35000 465000

County policy discourages planting

Arts Council notes

match funding ?

includes verge treatment Rushmoor BC may assist w/ approvals, installation includes block names/ numbers, community assets Arts Council quick win Thames Water

100000 50000 25000 30000 50000 20000 15000 20000 25000 220000 115000

County policy discourages planting

Arts Council

6 WREN WAY (North Pilot) Notes: 1)Road Figures do not refuge include+fees/ charges, VAT. 6.1 crossings: speed hump, contingency, 4 60000 2) This is an estimate only of lowest possible tender; costs method, 6.2 Tree planting (80), bollards 40000 vary with procurement includes verge treatment time of year, and other factors beyond the consultants 6.3 On street parking: relocate/ reconfigure 40000control.

6.4 Corner radii reductions, 8 35000 6.5 Street and neighbourhood signing 20000 Subtotal: 195000

First Wessex HA

where required only consider Zebra crossing (higher cost)?

Thames Water

County policy discourages planting

7 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5

THAMES WATER SITE Landscaping & demolitions, lawn, trees 100000 Paths (100m) and paving 50000 Climbing walls 30000 Pump track 20000 Furnishings: seating, bollards 20000 Subtotal: 220000

Thames Water

notes

match funding ?

Rushmoor BC may assist w/ approvals, installation

Notes: 1) Figures do not include fees/ charges, contingency, VAT. 2) This is an estimate only of lowest possible tender; costs vary with procurement method, time of year, and other factors beyond the consultants control.

includes block names/ numbers, community assets Arts Council quick win

County policy discourages planting

Arts Council

includes verge treatment

7 Landscape THAMESArchitects WATER SITE Thames Water Shape - Prospect Estate Landscape Masterplan March 2016 7.1 7.2

Tree, shrub & vine planting + maintenance 25000 Corner radii reductions, 12 50000 Street name monument signs, 5 15000 Artworks to walls 25000 Subtotal: 115000 item element £

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